Social and Medical Models of Health - Essay Example

Social and medical models of health Social and medical models of health Health is commonly defined as the well-functioning of the metabolic system of any living organism. In human health can be defined as the general conditions necessary for well-functioning of the mind and body to enable the person carry out their day to day activities without pressure. The World health organisation describes health as the formal of completeness of the physical, mental and social well-being (World Health Organisation, 1958). WHO dismisses the absence of mare illness as the state of being healthy, In the recent times definition of health has become ambiguous as the determinants of health refers to a healthy state as not only the physical well-being but as that the social surroundings as being a major influence to health success of an individual. Key aspects that have been establish to be the significant determinants of health are: Income of the population, and social class of individuals, Social networks, Education level and background, Employment and the working conditions, Social environments, , Personal and health practices practiced by the individual, genetic inheritance, accessibility of Health care sservices Social health model This is a manner of rational interpretation of health of an individual. The necessary improvements needs for the well-being of an individual are achieved by addressing the social and environmental contributing factor to health. These social contributing factor of health are the circumstances affecting individuals in their day to day life endeavors. These determinants affect the well-being of the individual. The overall circumstances facing a particular population groups plays a big part in determining their social health. These circumstances include the social, economic and environment conditions, this would therefore mean that the disadvantaged groups have are level of health risk thus making it difficult for them to achieve full social health. Social health models works in determining the present health hazards affecting a particular population group. Thereafter they recognize services that are aimed at improving the health and well-being of the group, as well as working to curb the diseases prevalent in the broader area. The social model of health is faced with a number of challenges as the method used to cure diseases is not straightforward. The model mainly focuses on the improvement of lifestyles of individuals that in-turn will raise the health well-being of the community. According to Taylor and field (2007) the significant improvements in health is most likely to arise from the peoples change in behaviour. The model further views the body as a complete single part as compared to the medical model that views the body as different parts thus enabling it identify and attach a particular illness to a particular body part. The medical health model Medical model of health is a psychological term which refers to the abnormal behaviour caused by the physical problems that should be treated medically by a professional. In this model the supporters believe symptoms as to be an external signal of the internal physical disorders. The model believes that when the symptoms are grouped they can be classified as a syndrome and the cause can be discovered through the correct treatment administered. This model believes that the cause off health disorders is organic rather than as a result of individual environment. The model continues to argue that mental disorders are as a result of the individual’s physical structure and the functioning of the brain. The Medical Model takes responsibility that unpretentious mechanical interpretation of illness and the body that befalls in it. Sickness is therefore seen as simply a malfunction in the body machine. Making a diagnosis, therefore, has a tendency to to be articulated in terms of structural or functional disasters of the machine all by its self. This concept follows the idea because the type of treatment administered is derived from diagnostic concepts of mechanic faults, then medical treatment therefore is likely to be equally mechanistic and psychological factors. The Medical Model is therefore seen as the most contentedly suited to illnesses such as surgery, this is because the diagnosis and treatment are extremely circumscribed and structural just like mechanical equipment. Strengths of the model: The model success is seen as its objective, is based on mature biological science of human being. The model has gone ahead and given light into the leading causes of some conditions and illnesses, Through the model it has become easy to administer Treatment as compared to social model where relative alternatives, thus making it cheaper and easy to administer. The model has proved to be effective in controlling serious mental illness like schizophrenia as causes are traced and medically treated. General weaknesses of the model: Same of the medications offered the patient have diverse effects such as ECT which is believed to cause memory loss, and not certainly effective. Drugs administered to individuals may not cure the conditions present, but simply act as straitjacket to suppress the illness. There has been a major ethical difficulty in labeling someone said to be mentally ill Labeling or identification of persons affected by mental illness may become socially discriminated. Sass says that, diseases of the brain, refereed to as mental disorders are really problems. Differences between social and medical health models The social model and medical model of health are two distinct principle of handling the way medical practitioner handle the issue of health of individual citizens. The two models have a number of differences; The social model of health focuses more on the environment, social, and environmental determinants of health, and the model assumes that the individual health states are based the surrounding of the individual. Is differs with the view of the medical model which presumes that the medical model is centered on individual as a patient. The medical model of health has a fundamental structure of analysis by which symptoms seen in the individual are an inner mechanical failure that are then physical signs known as illness. The model then presurmises’ that the symptoms are reduced to more definite disordered part. The social determinant of health on the other hand, is the social and environmental condition where people work and live that affects their health. Medical model of health deals with a defined disease with definite method of therapy, this is contrary to social model of health which is based on the understanding that in order for health gains is met by fulfilling the population’s basic needs. In addition, the social model of health takes into account the ecological and social factors that affect health and produce inequities whereas the medical model serves well for illness caused primarily by organic diseases with serious limitation when no specific cause or cure is known. The social model of health believes that health faults are merely caused by the social wellbeing of the affected individual. Social model off health has in the past reported that the rates of infant mortality rates, life expectancy, mental illness and causes of death, are significantly worst in lower social classes, this is as a result of presence in inadequate housing conditions, such as damp, disrepair and lack of toilet facilities. In addition, the model believes that people living under these conditions have more health problems, such as heart diseases and respiratory illnesses. The medical model on the other hand believes that health conditions expressed by the social model are with no bases as the rich, and living in good living conditions also face the same illness. The medical model therefore attributes the cause to the poor medical advancement precedent in the economy. While medical model of health stands for lack of responsibility by the individual towards the cause of their illness for and that the mind and body of a human being work individualistically free from each other, the social models on the other hand has a different stand. The model believes that the overall state of health is anticipated to physical, social and economic environment present. An example is where the, medical model of health would assert that lung cancer is brought about by smoking. The social model of heath on the other hand, may put forward a conclusion that passive smoking or hereditary character can be causes to the disease. Pursuing this further, medical model of heath is reluctant in promoting a healthy lifestyle, this is seen as a result of the model assertion may fail to cause illness even after one is smoking, excessively drinking and eating unhealthily, that individuals will tend to continue with the habit. Controversially, the social model of health looks at it differently, by encouraging people to lead a healthy lifestyle and prevent illnesses and diseases (Blaxter, 2004). Medical model of health differs with social model by the raising awareness on the inequalities in health between social economic classes, the social health model states, that the diseases of affluence; this are diseases such as coronary heart diseases and cancer, are prudent in the lower economic class. The model saying that they are the major causes of deaths in modern-day. Naidoo and Willis (1994) denoted disagreement that these diseases are more common in disadvantaged social classes. Similarities between social and medical health models Both methods focus on risk behaviors’ and healthy lifestyles of individuals Both emphasizes health education – changing knowledge, attitudes and skills to improve life style The models of health, focuses on individual responsibility at personal level towards a health life. Both methods treats people in isolation of their environments and living conditions as cause of their illness. The methods are concerned with addressing the broader determinants of health in the society They are involved in inter-sectorial collaboration The methods try to empower individuals and communities to enable them live a much health life. The models are involved with the mutual access to health care of individuals despite their formal background and environment. Conclusion In conclusion, it is clear that both medical and social model of health have arguments in their believes and promotions. However, it is clear that social model of health is providing for more holistic approach to health by viewing through lifestyle and environment with the aim to prevent illnesses before they appeared. Saying that, without a bio - medical model of health, medicine would not be as much advanced as it is now. Ideally, both models of health should go on to give the best care in health as so much needed qualities of health. The most commonly accepted view of healthcare is that improvements result from advancements in medical science. It is widely accepted that the medical model of health aims primarily on the eradication of illness through diagnosis and effective treatment. In comparison the social model of health emphasis on changes in the society and in peoples way of life to make the society healthier. Taking into consideration these models of health allows us to have a better knowledge of why some people take care of their health easily than others. References Breggin, P. R. (1979). Electroshock, Its Brain-disabling Effects. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Moniz, E. (1935). Angiomes cérébraux. Importance de l’angiographie cérébrale dans leur diagnostic. Bull. Acad. Méd.(Paris), 3, 113. Van Putten, T., May, P. R., Marder, S. R., & Wittmann, L. A. (1981). 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